Shawnee County files lawsuit against numerous property owners in tax dispute

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Board of Shawnee County Commissioners has filed a lawsuit Friday against the owners of numerous properties in southwest Topeka.

Shawnee County spokeswoman Amanda Monhollon said in a press release the county filed the suit over unpaid City of Topeka special assessments. These unpaid special assessments concern numerous vacant lots located in the southwest part of the city.

"Although the City of Topeka is statutorily authorized to collect its unpaid specials by filing its own foreclosure action, it has chosen not to do so. The County, having heard concerns from the public, will now initiate the judicial tax foreclosure process in order to collect the unpaid City specials as well as the delinquent property taxes in order to bring closure."

Shawnee County press release excerpt

Monhollon said that parties included in the suit will have opportunities to negotiate and resolve outstanding obligations. The entire judicial foreclosure process will conclude with a public tax sale if properties remain delinquent with the county anticipating it to happen in less than six months.

Court documents filed by the county on Sept. 12 for this lawsuit are still awaiting approval, according to the Kansas Judicial Branch. The Board of County Commissioners is named as the plaintiff in the lawsuit while various banks, real estate organizations and limited liability companies in Topeka and Lawrence are named as defendants.

Many properties listed in the lawsuit concern land in the Lauren's Bay area. These sit in an area near Southwest 47th Street and Southwest Wanamaker Road.

27 News is reaching out to the defendants involved in this suit for comment on the situation. Additional details will be added here or in a later story as they are made available.

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